Hayward is a restricted free agent. Even if the Raptors offer the max, which seems excessive, chances are that the Jazz would match. They have lots of space at the moment and they can't afford to lose their young talent.

On the other hand, Lance Stephenson is young and unrestricted. I imagine lots of teams will go after him. Lakers, Mavs, possibly the Bulls, the list goes on. But it's worth trying. He's more of a SG but he has more than enough bulk to play and defend both positions. DeMar/Stephenson/Ross could potentially be an awesome wing rotation.

Is there enough cap space? If Lowry is re-signed, very likely not. If both Lowry and Patterson are re-signed, certainly not. In which case I'd prefer strengthening the bench with 1 year contract guys, and then once Fields/Hayes expire target the 2015 free agency, which will be very strong.

If the Raptors keep their 2014 1st round pick and Johnson, and re-sign Lowry (before even worrying whether any of Vasquez, Patterson and Hansborough are re-signed), free agency won't be much of an available avenue for improvement, aside from exceptions; they'll be capped-out.

I don't see Hayward as an upgrade at all, and even stats bear that out. They have virtually equal stats, while DD is the focus of every team's defense. Hell, they not only put there best perimeter defender on him, but constantly double team him as well.

I don't get how DeMar keeps being under appreciated in some circles. Here's a little tidbit: everyone talks of Harden being a superstar, yet also saying we need better than DeMar. This year, DeMar's stats are virtually identical to Harden's, who also happens to think DeMar belongs in the all star game. Oh well, grass is always greener.....

I'm not sure the right upgrades are available in free agency this summer, but that may depend on what the intent of such upgrades are. I highly doubt that MU's intent is to try and build a championship caliber team for next year. I assume that his intent is to build a team around a young core that will grow together. Having said that, assuming MU signs Lowry, I think the primary needed upgrades are at backup C, preferably a vet, and at starting PF, though considering the scoring available elsewhere in the line-up, I think the triumvirate of Amir/2Pat/Hansbrough can hold down the fort quite well for now. I don't see anybody that fits that bill in free agency this year. Munroe is a RFA, and it may take overpayment to get a guy that doesn't really fit what this team is trying to do. His defense is horrid, and he'd only take touches away from JV on offense.

If anything major is done, I see it coming from a trade more so than free agency this year. Moves will be made, but it may only be tweaks to help the supporting cast. MU is being patient, and i think we need to be as well.

I think the path to us getting better is not necessarily free agency. Masai likes four year deals at a reasonable rate. Contracts done that way are easily tradeable. I.E. If you give Lowry 4 years 44 million and a market for PGs opens up in the next two years you have a great asset. I would look at the Nene contract for an idea of how MU will make us better.

If the Raptors keep their 2014 1st round pick and re-sign Lowry (before even worrying whether any of Vasquez, Patterson and Hansborough are re-signed), free agency won't be an available avenue for improvement; they'll be capped-out.

It depends on how much Ujiri likes someone. He will have options. Salmons, Vasquez and Hansbrough are all very expendable. He could also cut and stretch Fields and Hayes.

Assuming cap is at ~62, Ujiri can have about 25 mil in cap space if Fields, Hayes, Salmons, Vasquez and Hansbrough are all cut (and Hayes / Fields are stretched). ~18 mil if Fields / Hayes are kept. That's without adding new Lowry and Patterson's salaries.

So then it depends on who Ujiri likes and how much. If he wants to keep both Lowry /Patterson and doesn't like any free agent enough to stretch Fields / Hayes, then there's no meaningful cap space.
In that case it would make more sense to keep Hansbrough, possibly Vasquez as well, and wait for 2015. Possibly use the midlevel exception to maybe add some bench player on a short deal.

But if Ujiri does want to target someone like Stephenson, he could. He could stretch Hayes and Fields, he could even let Patterson go if it comes to that. In the end it's about priorities.

I'd be ok with losing Patterson if it means a Lowry/Stephenson/DeMar/Ross rotation at 1-2-3. But Ujiri might have different views, so we will see.

Reality is the Raptors are not very deep right now so they need help everywhere.

Obviously three ways to upgrade: draft, free agency, and trades.

Draft:
Always best player available, but targeting PG would be nice: Ennis, LaVine, Micic, Carson. If they can trade up and get Smart or Exum - great - but I'm thinking 15-19 pick.

Free Agency:
If the goal is to keep getting better from here, then Lowry and Patterson need to be resigned.
I would be looking for value contracts to fill out the roster similar to Hansbrough this year.
I like Jordan Hamilton and Al-Farouq Aminu.

Trades:
There is a forum for that. So many variables who knows. Outside of the pieces everyone would want to keep, what do the Raptors have to trade? Hayes, Fields, Novak? I'm weary of returns. Salmons contract is an interesting piece.

Last need left to address: back up C.
Maybe trade Salmons for Perkins and another 1st - preferably Dallas?
How much will Spencer Hayes be? Jordan Hill? Ayon?

If Clevland doesn't finish the season strong, Deng may bolt for a more competetive team.

I think Deng ends up in LA, personally.

Remember when Kobe was nearly dealt to the Bulls? A big part of that never happening was Deng was going back to Lakers in package and Kobe wanted Deng. I think that mutual respect has lasted through the years.

If the Raptors keep their 2014 1st round pick and Johnson, and re-sign Lowry (before even worrying whether any of Vasquez, Patterson and Hansborough are re-signed), free agency won't be much of an available avenue for improvement, aside from exceptions; they'll be capped-out.

On the other hand, Lance Stephenson is young and unrestricted. I imagine lots of teams will go after him. Lakers, Mavs, possibly the Bulls, the list goes on. But it's worth trying. He's more of a SG but he has more than enough bulk to play and defend both positions. DeMar/Stephenson/Ross could potentially be an awesome wing rotation

I really like Lance and would love to see him on the Raps...however I don't think he leaves Indiana. Best thing to ever happen to him was to be drafted to them.

salmon wrote:

I don't see Hayward as an upgrade at all, and even stats bear that out. They have virtually equal stats, while DD is the focus of every team's defense. Hell, they not only put there best perimeter defender on him, but constantly double team him as well.

I don't get how DeMar keeps being under appreciated in some circles. Here's a little tidbit: everyone talks of Harden being a superstar, yet also saying we need better than DeMar. This year, DeMar's stats are virtually identical to Harden's, who also happens to think DeMar belongs in the all star game. Oh well, grass is always greener.....

1) So does Hayward. Although I agree the team doesn't get too much better with Hayward vs DD.

2) Harden is doing everything DD is and some, while being much more efficient at it. So no, they are not virtually identical. Also the style of play that Harden plays. Harden is a better passer and creator, a way better shooter, better at getting to the line. Harden can destroy the PnR and wreck a team's defensive strategy. For DD, teams just ICE the side PnR and force DD to take a mid range jump shot, which he doesn't shoot very well, nor can he break it because his handles aren't very good. There is a world of difference between the two players.

Honestly I am of the belief that removing DD from this Raptors team doesn't make us any worse (or better either), he is an empty player IMO. This injury is going to prove or disprove this. If he is as good as you think he is, then this team should be absolutely devastated by him not being on the court (also remember that he is being replaced by Novak...)

I really like Lance and would love to see him on the Raps...however I don't think he leaves Indiana. Best thing to ever happen to him was to be drafted to them.

1) So does Hayward. Although I agree the team doesn't get too much better with Hayward vs DD.

2) Harden is doing everything DD is and some, while being much more efficient at it. So no, they are not virtually identical. Also the style of play that Harden plays. Harden is a better passer and creator, a way better shooter, better at getting to the line. Harden can destroy the PnR and wreck a team's defensive strategy. For DD, teams just ICE the side PnR and force DD to take a mid range jump shot, which he doesn't shoot very well, nor can he break it because his handles aren't very good. There is a world of difference between the two players.

Honestly I am of the belief that removing DD from this Raptors team doesn't make us any worse (or better either), he is an empty player IMO. This injury is going to prove or disprove this. If he is as good as you think he is, then this team should be absolutely devastated by him not being on the court (also remember that he is being replaced by Novak...)

Harden is 5th in the league at 1.47 points per shot. DeROzan is tied for 71st at 1.21 (which is an increase from about 10 games ago - keep it going!).

I am of the same belief. I don't think DeROzan makes team better or worse. We'll see. I'd like to be wrong though, it only helps his value if he is traded and if he is kept, well, it would be nice to know he is important after all.

Trade away Hansbrough either at the deadline or in the summer.
It's not that he is bad or anything, but he won't get too many minutes behind JV, Amir and Patterson.
He also has a team-friendly contract and could maybe net a young asset in the rough.

Get someone who is a little risk with the first round pick, and with the 2nd rounder from Sacremento (projected from 30 to 36), we can possibly get a steal in this draft.

Hands-Bro has definitely become expendable. PG is basically the only position I'm happy with depth wise right now. Jonas will become a quality starter, Amir is better off as a first big off the bench as is 2Pat. Ross, the jury's still out, but I still see him as no more than a 5th best starter on a title team.

The biggest issue we need to address is a better wing player. Whether it upgrades Derozan or T Ross, we need THAT guy still, which Rudy Gay never was and never should have been.